Oasis of the Seas: Just Add Water

In just over one year, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas will make her debut, but she's already reached an important maritime milestone. Under construction at STX Europe in Turku, Finland, the ship was “floated out” last Friday when she was moved from dry dock to wet dock to begin the final stages of interior work. At official ceremonies held at the shipyard, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. chairman and CEO Richard Fain was joined by other dignitaries to turn the valve releasing 87 million gallons of water into the wet dock area pictured here and below (click photos for larger images).

“This is a historic day for our company. After more than three years of intense planning and collaboration and with 65 percent of the ship already complete, it’s exciting to see Oasis entering its final stages,” said Richard D. Fain, chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “Oasis of the Seas truly represents the innovative spirit that our company is known for and to see that come to fruition is wonderful.”

The line chose this important milestone to announce that Oasis of the Seas will enter service under the command of Captain William S. Wright and Captain Tor Olsen. Wright, a 15-year veteran of Royal Caribbean Intl, was also the start up Captain for Freedom of the Seas, currently the largest ship in the world with sister-ships Liberty of the Seas and Independence of the Seas, which are 40 percent smaller than Oasis of the Seas. Wright also is one of the few American captains in international cruising and currently serves as the senior vice president of Marine Operations for the cruise line. Born in Norway, Captain Tor Olsen has been on the high seas since the age of 16. He joined Royal Caribbean International in 1987 working on Song of America and has served as Captain on five Royal Caribbean ships from the Voyager-class to the Vision-class.

When Oasis launches in Dec 2009, she will feature the unique neighborhood concept planned to provide guests with the opportunity to seek out relevant experiences based on their personal style, preference, or mood in seven distinct areas of the ship. This unique concept, which also creates a vast array of accommodation choices for guests never before found at sea, is the result of a quantum leap forward in revolutionary cruise ship design.

An architectural marvel at sea, Oasis of the Seas will span 16 decks, encompass 220,000 gross registered tons (GRT), carry 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and feature 2,700 staterooms. She will be the first ship to tout the cruise line’s new neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas, which include Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place, and Youth Zone. The ship will sail from her home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Additional information is available at:

• Oasis of the Seas — Two more neighborhoods make a splash when Royal Caribbean takes "the beach" to sea.
• Royal Caribbean Offers More Oasis of the Seas Details — A second Oasis of the Seas reveal, includes more neighborhoods and surprises.
• A First Glimpse at Oasis of the Seas — An architectural marvel is coming to your neighborhood.